MotivationLine

Loren Eiseley's The Star Thrower Reminds Us All to Make a Difference

Loren Eiseley was archeologist, anthropologist and naturalist as well as writer and poet. In the 1964 Houghton-Mifflin book, "The Unexpected Universe," we find his story, "The Star Thrower." This story has been retold by hundreds of speakers over the years; each time the story morphs into a new version. But Loren Eiseley deserves credit for being the first to write about his experience.

On the beaches of Costabel, the beaches with strong surf are often strewn with debris and treasures from the ocean-shells, crabs, sponges, starfish. On one occasion, near the pounding surf, the author found a man who was picking up starfish and racing to the waters edge to hurl the starfish beyond the breakers.

Eiseley asked the man, "Do you collect?" "Only like this. Only for the living...the stars throw well. One can help them."

The naturalist left the man pondering the futility of what he had witnessed through the night. He could spend his lifetime throwing back starfish, and it would not make any difference or would it? After a restless nights sleep, he went back the next day and joined him. He told the man, "I understand. Call me another thrower."

Sometimes we forget the powerful motivation that comes with making a difference for others. As a leader or as a star thrower, you may not be able to change the world or the culture, but you can make a difference one person at a time. Where are the stars on the beach in your organization who are ready to be helped?

Every Blog Has a Mission

The mission of the MotivationLine blog is to be Motivation Central for cyberspace. It's all about what you and I do to manage our own motivation. In the literature, it might fall under the subject of positive psychology. We're going to look at what we can all do to impact attitude, hope, optimism, self-confidence, joy, happiness, inspiration, and resilience.

How do you motivate yourself? What do you do on the tough days to manage your own attitude? Does faith play a role? What anchor statements do you say to yourself that seem to work? What causes some people to bounce back and others to fall into depression? What would you say to others about what makes you tick? What turning points taught you the most about making life work? When you are happy, what can you do to sustain it?

I want your comments, quotes, research, experiences and your insights. I'll be sharing mine.